Preparing Yourself and Your Child to Go to University

Today’s guest post is written by Frankie Wallace.

University or Tech is a necessary step for many careers. However, that doesn’t make it an easy one.

Parents and kids alike can struggle when it is time to go off to university. Here are a few tips to help everyone prepare for the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges that come with starting the tertiary education experience.

Set the Financial Stage Early On

Let’s begin with one of the most rudimentary aspects of vasity: the cost. It’s no secret that unsubsidized college costs can add up quickly.

According to TopUniversities.com, the average cost of living alone when attending university is R102,000. This doesn’t take into account things like textbooks, classes, and other academic costs.

If you want your child to graduate with a degree sans a giant pile of debt, you should approach their time at university with a financial strategy in place. This should start with a detailed financial analysis. It doesn’t matter if you’re paying for it, they are, or you’re both chipping in — it’s essential that you do this together.

If you’re footing the bill, you still want to invite your child in on the process. This can help them understand the costs of their education and can avoid alienating them on a financial level.

If your child is paying, it’s equally important to offer your financial experience and expertise as they get started. Just don’t be overbearing. Remember, you want to enable them to make decisions as an adult, not your child.

In either case, start by making a detailed breakdown of the various costs associated with the university experience. This should include everything from the cost of classes to room, board, transportation, and even spending money.

Next up, look for the best options to help you make college affordable. This could include things like:

• Funding from mom and dad;
• Pursuing financial aid;
• Applying for scholarships;
• Having your child get a job while they’re in school;
• Saving beforehand if you have the time.

It’s important to address the financial costs of college before the bills start rolling in. That way you won’t have the added financial pressure as you go through such a major life change.

Guard Everyone’s Mental Health

Polar opposite to financial concerns, we have mental health. University can be an intimidating process for parents and children alike. It’s important to be on guard against potential mental health threats that can exacerbate the natural challenges that come with going to college.

For instance, separation anxiety is typically associated with younger children. However, it can most definitely play a part in the teenage and adult phases of life, too.

Even if you don’t deal with full-blown anxiety, the emotions associated with a prolonged distance between parent and child can be intense. Isolation and loneliness are other areas that can impact one’s mental health, too.

Try to set up coping mechanisms to deal with these ahead of time.

One example would for a parent to get used to checking their own mental condition before communicating with their child. It’s important to be aware of your own stresses and be careful not to pass that along to your children.

As you interact with your child, it’s also good to familiarize yourself with any signs of mental strain. This can come in the form of anything from social withdrawal to a loss of appetite or poor sleep.

It’s also a good idea to have activities and other tools ready to go if mental health becomes a concern. Reach out with encouragement for your child on a regular basis. Set up virtual family parties to give them a taste of home from time to time. If they aren’t too far away, you can even visit them occasionally if it seems like it will help.

Address the Logistics

Finally, don’t forget the little (and big) logistical details as you focus on big picture items like paperwork, finances, and mental health. Parents and children alike can work together to grease the wheels for a smooth transition to a university campus.

This starts by creating a rock-solid moving checklist. Don’t just write down what needs to be packed. Also consider the order of events and how you can go through the moving process in an efficient, stress-free manner.

When it comes to life on campus, do your best to think about other practical matters before they become an issue.

One good example is transportation. Will your child be living on campus or will they need a vehicle? Can they use something like a rideshare service?

What about holidays and school breaks? Can they afford to come home whenever they have time off? If not, what holidays are you going to prioritize?

Having a plan in place for these little concerns can help keep the college experience positive right from the get-go.

Preparing Parents and Children Alike for the University Experience

Going to university is a big event — in the lives of both students and their families. Along with the busyness of a full school schedule, it can come with financial strains, mental stresses, and logistical nightmares.

It’s important to do everything you can to clear the runways before the journey begins. That way, you can give your child the best possible chance at succeeding as they shift from child to adult and set the stage for their careers.

Frankie Wallace is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest, USA. She enjoys writing about health, wellness and education, but occasionally goes back to her roots with socially active news journalism. Frankie spends her free time cultivating her zero waste garden or hiking in the mountains of the PNW with her loved ones.

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